Established in 2004, HPAI is a partnership of local arts organizations, businesses and nonprofit groups aimed at utilizing the arts as an economic and community building catalyst for Cleary/Logan Square and throughout Hyde Park. Partners of the Hyde Park Arts Initiative presently include: Menino Art Center/Hyde Park Art Association, Riverside Theatre Works, Everett Theatre, Hyde Park Open Studios, Artists-At-Large, O’Dwyer School of Irish Dancing, Hyde Park YMCA, the Dance Academy, Hyde Park Library, Friends of the Hyde Park Library, Hyde Park Main Streets, and Southwest Boston CDC. Collaborators include Tierney Realty Group, First Highland Management Corporation, and a number of individuals with expertise in art, media, writing and business.

Over the last several years, HPAI has promoted Hyde Park as an arts and culture destination. By producing arts events that appeal to a cross section of residents HPAI has drawn patrons into the Square and introduced them to businesses that they would not have otherwise been aware of or utilized. The increased foot traffic resulting from HPAI events and marketing strategies has attracted the attention of new businesses, including several new restaurants.